The Old School was built in 1845 just after the new parish church had been erected in Holywood to replace the Old Priory. It is reported that, as its roof size matched that of the Old Priory which had been abandoned following the consecration of the new church in 1844, the timbers and other components of the Old Priory's roof were used for the school.

The Old School is on the opposite side of the road from both the parish church and the building now used as the parish office, which was originally built as a more substantial school to replace the Old School. At the time it was built, the Old School and the church opposite it, together with the former vicarage, were the only buildings on this part of Church Road and it was not until the end of the 1850s that development began to take place on the road above the church.

 

Some further questions are answered below, please follow the links.

What was the Old School like in 1855?

Who went to school there?

Who taught them?

What happened when it stopped being a school?